I love eggnog.  I buy a carton every year.  But after a few small glasses, I'm sort of over the richness.  And I drink it half nog, half skim or almond milk. 

So instead of pitching the rest of the carton, I decided to combine it with my new dessert obsession.  Rice pudding.  Have you ever made rice pudding?  So easy.  Sort of time consuming and you need to be in the general area to make sure nothing burns.  But it is not at all complicated.  I usually make it fat free with skim or low fat with almond milk.  This recipe is neither of those.  Just being honest.  But OMG the fat is sooo worth it because it is crazy creamy and flavorful!  I served it to someone who claims he hates eggnog.  He ate an entire bowl.  And said it just tasted like eggy pudding.  So I guess that was a good thing.

Ingredients:
* 2 cups eggnog
* 1 cup water
* 1 1/2 cups other milk
* 1 cup rice
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 2 tsp. vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup rasins
* 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Directions:
* Combine eggnog, water, milk, rice and salt in a heavy bottom saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Turn down to a simmer on med-low.  Cook until rice is just tender (about 25 mins.).  Stir now and then to make sure the rice doesn't burn on the bottom.
* Add sugar, vanilla and rasins.  Continue cooking about 10 mins until pudding thickens.
* Add cinnamon and nutmeg.  Stir to incorporate.  Serve warm or refrigerate a few hours to serve cold.  It's even more amazing with fresh whipped cream but I (fortunately) had none on hand. 

It's a very simple treat.  But it's just one of those retro comfort foods that will forever make you grin. 

**A note on the liquids.  You can substitute any combination.  Omit the eggnog and use all milk.  Use more or no water at all.  Can't drink cow's milk?  Use almond or soy (bleh- I seriously do not know why anyone likes it but I know you do so go ahead and use it if you like it) or coconut or whatever else you like.  Very easy to make it dairy free and it is naturally gluten free. If you omit the eggnog, it is also egg free.

**Also, I made a huge batch because I like it.  But you can certainly half or third it if you just want a small bit on hand.